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were fiddling

  • past progressive
    of fiddle.
    fiddle
    noun
    a musical instrument of the viol family.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

As Schumer stood up after McConnell’s remarks, the Democrat spoke to all senators, even though at least a dozen were fiddling with their phones.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 23, 2020

The majority of those gathered were fiddling with their phones.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 16, 2018

The research paper in question found a whopping recent increase in emergency room visits for injuries sustained because people were fiddling with a cell phone while—let's not tiptoe around the issue here—walking.

From Scientific American ● Jan. 1, 2014

All the reporters were fiddling with their recorders and muttering among themselves.

From Salon ● May 4, 2013

I looked over at Ellie and Joe, who were fiddling with their instruments.

From "The First Rule of Punk" by Celia C. Pérez